MUSICWORKS: Bringing interactive arts into the lives of creative students

Jesse Neuman, a career educator and professional musician, has developed the MUSICWORKS program to bring interactive arts experiences to students of all ages and ability levels. He has presented to NYC public and private schools, to groups as varied as a half-dozen pre-schoolers, a 300-plus hall of elementary school students, and residential populations of at-risk teenagers. Mr. Neuman has also funded and presented two volunteer seminars in Quito, Ecuador, as well as programs in Guatemala. He holds a B.A. in music, an M.A. in education, has been a classroom educator for the past 10 years, and recently performed at Lincoln Center for 2,500 people.The MUSICWORKS program brings enthusiastic presentations and performances to young adults in school and camp settings. Geared to reach musicians and non-musicians alike, programs are carefully structured yet casually presented in a warm and interactive manner. Rather than focusing on the often overwhelming and intimidating mechanics of ‘musicianship’, these workshops de-mystify the structure and beauty of jazz, world, and improvised music. Teachers and live performers bridge the gap between abstraction and realization of the artistic experience.

Although all workshops are customized to age and ability of students, MUSICWORKS provides the following presentation packages:

School Presentations: Our workshops are carefully structured yet warmly presented to breakdown the barriers between artists and audiences and capitalize on the curiosity of all students using interactive participation. Musicworks uses the performing ensemble as a means to address universal issues of communication, diversity and tolerance, literacy, and socio-emotional well being. All curriculum may be customized to reinforce educational standards and school/classroom units, and are available to early-childhood through graduate degree candidates. [Kent Place School, PS 83, 92nd Street YMHA Nursery Program, CUNY Hunter College]

Special Needs Populations: Through confidence building exercises, structured expectations, clear goals and respectful collaborations, our teachers bring out the best of bright students and their living with Autism or social/emotional disabilities. [Extreme Kids and Crew, JCC Camp Kulam, 14th Street Y]

Community Concerts: From audience participation to full out dance parties, our ensembles add a spark of creativity and foster community to any event. [Make Music New York, Carl Schurz Park Association, Dumbo Arts Festival]

Global Volunteers: Since 2009, Musicworks has made a commitment to broaden its mission to underprivileged communities abroad. We have donated over 10 weeks of teaching visits, a dozen instruments, clothing, medicine, supplies, books, and funds to over 200 students in Ecuador and Guatemala. Our work in Latin American has taken us to grassroots conservatories, nursery schools, vocational programs, public schools, and native reservations. [Brass Band del Ecuador, Universidad Central de Quito, Universidad San Francisco in Cumbaya, Deportes Pana, Mayan Families]

Students are engaged through group discussion, critical listening, and hands on interaction with experienced performers and educators. Above all, MUSICWORKS empowers students with the knowledge that creative music is both interesting and approachable, and that creative thinking is a valuable and rewarding skill.

Common early childhood / elementary themes:

introduction to instruments

music and emotions

creative body movement

literacy, music and stories

diversity and tolerance

bullying and getting along

Common middle / high school / college themes:

American Jazz and historical context

roles of melody, harmony, and rhythm

music shaping film

basic elements of composition

world music traditions

music and social responsibility

We provide a fresh alternative to the standard pre-set lecture package.

All MUSICWORKS programs can be adapted by duration (from one hour, full day visit, weekly programs, or extended residency), number and type of performers, and age group. Presentations can be created and/or adapted to speak to relevant school curricula, current events, or ongoing projects relevant to student needs